The Dutch National Museum in Amsterdam contains over 7 million pieces of art, with an extensive collection of Dutch art. The neo-Gothic building which houses the museum was built in the 1880s.
The Municipal Museum in Amsterdam is one of the most acclaimed modern art museums in Europe. All the works are from mid 19th C and later, and focus primarily on Dutch and French painting.
The classical Royal Palace was built in the mid 17th C as the town hall. Today the building, which is exquisitely decorated, is the residence of the Queen when she is in the city.
Amsterdam's Van Gogh Museum contains the largest collection of Van Gogh's works in the world. The building was created specifically for this collection but also contains works by others who influenced this artist.
The Beguine Convent provides low cost living for women with low or no incomes. It is surrounded by lovely grounds and some of the oldest homes in the city.
Haven contains the main shipping port of Amsterdam. It services both industrial and passenger ships.
Located in the old city orphanage, the Historical Museum features an extensive collection of items related to Amsterdam from ancient times right through today.
The Amsterdam Jewish Historical Museum is housed in an impressive assortment of historical buildings that were restored and refurbished in the 1970s.
Originally begun in the late 14th C, the Kalverstraat is now Amsterdam's busiest shopping district.
Amsterdam's New Church, dating to the 15th C, is is today used as a concert venue and to host other cultural gatherings.
Amsterdam's Old Church, built in the early 14th C, is famous for its carillon. Tremendous views out over the city can be had by ascending the bell tower.
The house that Rembrandt lived in has been perfectly preserved in 17th C style and décor. Featured are personal items owned by this artist.
The Tropical Museum is part of the Royal Tropical Institute. On display are items and art from various tropical locales.
The Vlooienmarkt is Amsterdam's largest and oldest flea market. It has been operating since 1886 with only a brief 10 year interruption.
Amsterdam West Church is one of the more popular city churches and a prominent tourist attraction. It is here that Rembrandt is interred.
The archaeological collection of Amsterdam University, the Allard Pierson Museum, is one of the biggest university museums of this kind in the world. Ancient Egypt is represented by mummies, sarcophagi, figures of gods and animals, plus collections from the Near East, Mesopotamia, Cyprus and Iran. Ancient Greece and Rome are also well represented.
Address:
Allard Pierson Museum, Oude Turfmarkt 127, Amsterdam, Noord-Holland 1012 CG, Netherlands
Hours:
10am-5pm; Sun: 1pm-5pm; Sat: 1pm-5pm
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), Dutch National Day (April 30), New Year's Eve (December 31), Christmas - Christian (December 25), Pentecost Sunday (Whit Sunday) - Christian, Easter - Christian
Disability Access: Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
Guides: Guided tour available as optional extra.
There are a great many antique shops centered around the Nieuwe Spiegstraat, Spiegelgracht, Rokin and Elandsgracht. Prices for top items are no cheaper here than in the other big European cities.
The Bachzaal is a concert hall with live performances of amateur and professional musicians. Some of the events held here are free.
Address:
Bachzaal, Bachstraat 7, Amsterdam, Noord-Holland 1077 GD, Netherlands
This museum of baking (Banketbakkersmuseum) and pastrymaking has an old bakery with shops, old engravings, recipe books, etc.
Hours:
10am-4pm; Closed: Sun, Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat
The Beurs van Berlage is one of the most important architectural monuments of its kind. There are drawings and mock-ups of the building as well as documents about it on display.
Address:
Beurs van Berlage Museum, Damrak 277, Amsterdam, Noord-Holland 1012 ZJ, Netherlands
Disability Access: Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
Facilities: Restaurant or food service
The Bilderdijk Museum in Amsterdam displays a collection of drawings, engravings and curios illustrating the life of the Dutch poet Willem Bilderdijk (1756-1831), known for his translations of the classics and patriotic poems and plays.
Address:
Bilderdijk Museum, De Boelelaan 1105, kamer 1B-21, Amsterdam, Noord-Holland 1081 HV, Netherlands
Tips: Open by prior arrangement.
From the Dam the broad Damrak, one of the main traffic arteries of the city center, runs north-east to the Central Station, passing on the right the Commercial Exchange, an imposing brick building by H. P. Berlage (1899-1903) which set the pattern for modern Dutch architecture.
Trips on old trams from Haarlemmermeer Station which, until 1950, was the point of departure for the steam engine to Amstelveen, Aalsmeer and Uithoorn. The old rails were adapted to take trams, and today the museum tram takes visitors into the Amsterdamse Bos and as far as Amstelveen, a stretch of about 6km/4miles, making regular use of 15 of the collection of 60 trams, built between 1910 and 1950 in the Netherlands, Germany and Austria. This is a trip particularly enjoyed by children.
Address:
Electrische Museumtramlijn, Amstelveenseweg 264, Amsterdam, Noord-Holland 1075 XV, Netherlands
Tips: Prices are for rides.
Transit: Haarlemmermeerstation.
Farther south lies the Buitenveldert district, in which is the Free University, with Christian affiliations, which was founded in 1880. A botanic garden in the University grounds displays the native Dutch flora. In the main building, at De Boelaan 1105, is a collection of material on the history of the botainc garden (established 1967).
From the Zoo at Plantage Kerklaan leads by way of Roeterstraat to the Nieuwe Prinsengracht; at No. 130 is the Geological Museum of the University, with a large collection of minerals and fossils. The central feature is the Timor Collection of materal of the Permian and Triassic periods.
Hours:
9am-5pm; Closed: Sun, Sat
Golfclub Olympus.
The Golfclub of Olympus is located in southern Amsterdam.
A striking modern building Het Muziektheater seats 1,600 and about 10 operas a year are performed here with a special interest in modern and Dutch operas.
The modern building was built in 1988.
Address:
Muziektheater, Waterlooplein 22, Amsterdam, Noord-Holland 1011 PG, Netherlands
Tips: Tickets can be ordered by mail two months before the performances through Nationaal Reserverings Centrum.
The Historic Collection of posters, books, documents, paintings, etc. illustrates the history of the university since 1632. The Agnetien Chapel, in which it is housed, has been part of the university since 1470 and was restored in 1921.
Hours:
9am-5pm; Closed: Sun, Sat
Diagonally opposite the University, at the point where Oudezijds Voorburgwal, Oudezijds Achterburgwal and Grimburgwal meet, can be seen the famous Driegrachtenhuis.
The Foundation for Photography in Huis Marseille conatins a collection which spans the twentieth century. The main emphasis is on contemporary work by photographers involved in the visual arts.
Address:
Huis Marseille, Keizersgracht 401, Amsterdam, Noord-Holland 1016 EK, Netherlands
Hours:
11am-5pm; Closed: Mon
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), Dutch National Day (April 30), Christmas - Christian (December 25)
"Magere Brug" near the Weesperstraat is the most photographed. This simple wooden drawbridge over the Amstel was built in 1671 as a footbridge. After being renovated several times it was demolished in 1929. It was to be replaced by a modern electrically operated bridge but it was finally decided to build a wooden reconstruction of the original. The building work was supervised by the architect Mager who gave his name to the bridge.

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| Magere bridge at night in Amsterdam. |
| Looking over the Magere bridge in Amsterdam. |
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Transit: Tram: 4; Metro: Weesperplein.
The Amsterdam Metro's three lines cover 40 km of which 3.5 km are in tunnel and 24 km are elevated. Perhaps most noteworthy is the stop directly under Schiphol airport which makes it quite easy for travelers to get downtown.
Address:
Amsterdam Metro, Prins Hendrikkade 108-114
Postbox 2131, Amsterdam, Noord-Holland 1000 CC, Netherlands
A rebuilt tower mill from 1847, this mill, Molen van Sloten, assists in steadying the water level in the polder.
An audio-visual show features the life and work of Rembrandt.
Address:
Molen van Sloten, Akersluis 10, Amsterdam, Noord-Holland 1066 EZ, Netherlands
Hours:
10am-4pm
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), Dutch National Day (April 30), Christmas - Christian (December 25), Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26)
Tips: Last tour starts at 4:30.
Guides: Guided tour included with admission.
Montelbaanstoren was once part of the medieval city walls. The strucure was constructed in 1512 and kept intruders out of the Oudeschans.
From the east end of Plantage Middenlaan the Muidergracht leads to the Muiderpoort, a town gate in neo-classical style built by C. Rauws in 1770 after the collapse of the earlier gate of 1663.
Exhibition commemorating the Dutch writer Multatuli, whose real name was Eduard Douwes Dekker (1820-1887), and who in his freethinking, humanitarian novels (including "Max Havelaar or The Dutch on Java"), sharply attacked the Dutch colonial system.
Address:
Multatuli Museum, Korjespoortsteeg 20, Amsterdam, Noord-Holland 1015 AR, Netherlands
Hours:
10am-5pm; Sun: 12pm-5pm; Sat: 12pm-5pm; Closed: Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri
Always closed on: May Day / Labor Day (May 1)
Tips: Also open on appointment.
The main shopping streets, Rokin, Kalverstraat and Reguliersbreestraat, start from the Muntplein. In the 15th C. this square on the Amstel next to the city wall, known at the time as Sheep Square, was where the sheep market was held. Its present name dates from 1672 when money was coined in the Mint (the former guardroom next to the Mint tower).
Transit: Tram: 4, 9, 16, 24, 25.
The Museum Overholland has been housed since 1987 in a building built in 1925 in the style of American architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Its theme is "Art on paper since 1970" and it has a collection of drawings, watercolors, gouaches, etc.
Hours:
11am-5pm; Sun: 1pm-5pm; Closed: Mon
Spaarpottenmuseum contains a collection of more than 12,000 money boxes from all over the world.
Hours:
1pm-4pm; Closed: Sun, Sat
Seven hundred years of the art, culture and history of spectacles are presented at the Museum of Spectacles (Brilmuseum) in Amsterdam.
Address:
Brilmuseum, Gasthuismolensteeg 7, Amsterdam, Noord-Holland 1016 AM, Netherlands
Hours:
12pm-5:30pm; Sat: 12pm-5pm; Closed: Sun, Mon, Tue
The Verzetsmuseum is the Museum of the Netherlands Resistance movement during the German Occupation from 1940 to 1945, housed in a former Jewish synagogue.
Address:
Verzetsmuseum, Plantage Kerklaan 61, Amsterdam, Noord-Holland 1018 CX, Netherlands
Hours:
10am-5pm; Sun: 11am-5pm; Mon: 11am-5pm; Sat: 11am-5pm
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), Dutch National Day (April 30), Christmas - Christian (December 25)
At the Netherlands Crafts Center it is still possible to see demonstrations of crafts such as cheese-making, glass-blowing, making clogs, pewter work, lead glazing, painting Delft china, pottery, silver-working, spinning and weaving.
THIS ATTRACTION IS CLOSED.
Hours:
February 1 to March 31: 10am-5pm; Closed: Wed
April 1 to October 31: 10am-5pm; Closed: Wed
November 1 to November 30: 10am-5pm; Closed: Wed, Wed
December 1 to January 30: 10am-5pm; Closed: Wed, Wed
There actually used to be a market on the Nieuwmarkt in the 17th and 18th C. and it was divided up into individual plots for the stalls selling cheese, fish, herbs and cloth. During the Second World War the Nieuwmarkt was widely known for its flourishing Black Market. In 1975 there were street riots in this area when the local people gave vent to their anger at the demolition of many houses for the construction of the Underground. The Nieuwmarkt is the site of the Waaggebouw, built as a gateway to the city in 1488.
Transit: Metro: Nieuwmarkt.
The Noorderkerk (1620-23), has a ground-plan in the form of a Greek cross.
Noordermarkt is a popular square in Amsterdam with restaurants and markets on various days of the week.
Hours:
10am-3pm; Closed: Sun, Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri
Oudemanhuispoort is an arcade with a number of antiquarian bookshops and bookstalls with "oude mannetjes" (little old men) behind the counter. As its name "old men's gateway" indicates, the arcade used to be the entrance to an old people's home. Above the entrance there are still allusions to old age: a pair of spectacles and two old men.
Transit: Tram: 4, 9, 16, 24, 25.
Amsterdam's most important sports center is the Olympic Stadium. Built in 1928 when the Olympic Games were held in the Netherlands, it originally held 40,000 spectators but after being extended in 1936 it now holds 60,000. Athletic and speedway meetings and cycle races take place in the stadium.
Address:
Olympisch Stadion, Olympisch Stadion 2, Amsterdam, Noord-Holland 1076 DE, Netherlands
Transit: Tram: 6, 16, 24.
At the corner of Kloveniersburgwal and Oude Hoogstraat stands the Oostindisch Huis, the oldest part of which was built by Hendrick de Keyser in 1606. It is laid out round a courtyard with very handsome facades. Tha facade of the north wing dates from 1633, that of the east wing from the late 19th century.
Peter Stuyvesant Stichting in Amsterdam allows for viewing of modern painting and sculpture intended for business and public art uses.
Hours:
9am-12pm, 1pm-4pm; Closed: Sun, Sat
The Prinsengracht is less elegant than either the Keizersgracht or the Herengracht and therefore livelier and busier. The rents of the houses here are much more reasonable; there are relatively fewer banks and offices but many snug little cafes.

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| Houses on Prinsengracht Canal, Amsterdam. |
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Facilities: Restaurant or food service
Amsterdam's primary science center is NEMO, formerly the ederlands Insituut voor Nijverheid en Techniek. The museum offers displays designed for all ages and is a popular family outing.
Address:
Science Center NEMO, Oosterdok 2, Amsterdam, Noord-Holland 1011 VX, Netherlands
Permanent exhibition of shipyard machinery, models and shipwrights' tools, plus some old ships at their moorings.
Hours:
10am-4pm; Closed: Sun, Sat
Nearly everyone goes on a canal trip when they're in Amsterdam - there are numerous glass- topped boats taking visitors through the canals and out onto the Amstel and round the harbor. It's also quite an experience to do the tour at night, especially the candlelit version, on a boat lit by candles included in the price. The tours depart every hour during the summer, and at longer intervals in winter. They last between an hour and half a day, and the commentary is in four languages. Tours can be booked in the Amsterdam VVV tourist information centers, or with the operators direct.
Private collection of 17th C. Dutch masters, including Rembrandt.
Tips: Access only by letter of introduction from the Riksmuseum.
Stichting EnergeticA in Amsterdam is a museum of science and technology.
Address:
EnergeticA, Hoogte Kadijk 400, Amsterdam, Noord-Holland 1018 BW, Netherlands
Hours:
April 22 to December 16: 10am-4pm; Sun: 12pm-4pm; Closed: Sat
Transit: Bus 22, 32
From the Nieuwmarkt Kloveniersburgwal runs south-west. Off its western side opens Koestraat, at Nos. 10-12 of which is the Wijnkopersgildehuis. Three houses built in 1551 were combined into one in 1611 and then rebuilt between 1633 and 1655. The gable and doorway were built by Pieter de Keyser (1633). The main feature of the interior is the Guild Hall.
From the Schreierstoren a narrow stret, Oudezilds Kolk, leads south-west into the Zeedijk, one of Amsterdam's oldest streets, with many houses leaning at an angle from the vertical. At No. 1 is a 15th century house which is thought to be the oldest surviving building in the city.
The Zeiss Planetarium in Amsterdam features a Zeiss IV-B which was installed in 1988. Its dome measures 20 m.
Address:
Zeiss Planetarium, Artis Plantage Kerklaan 38-40, Box 20164, Amsterdam, Noord-Holland 1000 HD, Netherlands
Hours:
12:30pm-5:30pm; Sun: 9:30am-5:30pm; Sat: 9:30am-5:30pm; Closed: Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri
Guides: Interpretive sessions sometimes available.
Facilities: Gift shop
Amsterdam Surroundings
Restaurants and outdoor patios draw tourists to the Keukenhof. This park is also home to the largest outdoor flower show, where hundreds of varieties of tulips bloom each spring.
The old town of Alkmaar is a popular tourist attraction, with lovely old buildings and monuments, including the 16th to 18th C burghers' houses.
Zuiderzee is an area of reclaimed land that was formerly part of the North Sea floor.